Hemsworth MW out to topple leaders

Tony Harber

After being frustrated on missing out on a chance to go top last weekend Hemsworth MW can take the step up this Saturday when they travel to play leaders AFC Emley in Division One of the Toolstation NCE League.

Emley were beaten 2-1 by fellow promotion contenders Clipstone last Saturday, but Welfare were unable to take advantage when their scheduled game at home to Yorkshire Amateur fell victim to the snow and frost and had to be postponed.

Wayne Benn’s men would have gone top with a victory and remain a point behind, but can leapfrog leaders Emley this Saturday if they can bring back three points from their meeting at The Welfare Ground.

The game has an earlier kick-off at 2pm because high winds recently caused damage to a floodlight at the Emley club.

The floodlight, the central column behind the dugouts, is beyond repair and the club does not expect to have a replacement in place for another month so asked the NCE League and clubs due to play at Emley whether they would agree to an earlier kick-off time.

Hemsworth agreed and will travel full of confidence after their rise up the table to second place to get to within a point of Saturday’s opponents who have been the long time leaders.

But they are aware this will be the biggest test since they began their long unbeaten league run which goes back to September 23.

Emley were in fact the last team to beat Welfare in the league when they won 2-0 at Hemsworth’s ground and remain one of only two sides to defeat Benn’s men this season – Clipstone being the other.

Hemsworth are still unbeaten away from home, however, boasting a record of eight wins and three draws so far.

Despite not playing last Saturday they stayed in second place, but the teams immediately below them, Pontefract Collieries, Clipstone, Shirebrook Town and Bottesford Town all won to keep the pressure on at the top with just six points separating the top seven.

Welfare’s home game with Yorkshire Amateur, meanwhile, has been rearranged for Saturday, April 25 with a 3pm kick-off.